FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA) just released a new Big Y-DNA tool called Globetrekker, and today we take our first look. This article includes map snapshots for all Rowlnd DNA groups having at least one Big Y participant. Last year, FTDNA released the Big Y Age Estimate tool in an attempt to answer the “when” question about our genetic ancestors. With the July 31, 2023 introduction of Globetrekker, FTDNA is helping us understand “where” our ancestors came from and “how” they got there.
Haplogroup migration paths have long been a feature of Y-DNA analysis, but Globetrekker takes this to a new level. This new feature is only available to Big Y testers (in the Big Y Discover section), which is another reason you need to upgrade to Big Y if you haven’t done so already. FTDNA explains the new tool in Globetrekker, Part 1: A New FamilyTreeDNA Discover™ Report That Puts Big Y on the Map. The following list of highlights is taken directly from that article:
Globetrekker Highlights
- Globetrekker is a new exclusive Big Y feature.
- It is based on the largest Y-DNA tree in the world and the largest database of high-resolution samples with detailed paternal line ancestral information.
- It uses advanced phylogenetic algorithms that consider topographical information, historical global sea levels, land elevation, and ice age glaciation.
- It provides a new world map that shows the ancient sea levels around the Last Glacial Maximum, such as Doggerland.
- It features a personalized animation spanning 200,000 years of your history, from Y-Adam to your Big Y haplogroup.
- It contains 48,000 paternal line migration paths covering every populated continent and growing every week.
- It contains an integrated tree browser that allows you to explore the Y-DNA Tree of Mankind in a completely new way.
Rowland Globetrekker
The following images show the European portion of the treks for many of the Rowland DNA Groups. As mentioned above, this tool is only available to Big Y participants, so only the defined Rowland DNA groups with at least one Big Y participant are included. I encourage you all to look at the full historical timeline simulations for your particular group as the map shows the changing sea levels and receding ice age glaciation as well as the mountain ranges that impacted our ancestors’ migration treks.
In the brief descriptions below, all references to countries are based on current-day boundaries and names.
Rowland DNA Group A
Group A appears to have stayed north of the Alps and then came up through Germany before migrating to England’s southern coast. They made their way up the western side of England and into Scotland before moving on to Ireland.
Rowland DNA Group B
Group B followed the Rhone Valley out of Germany down to the Pyrenees before heading back north through France. Crossing into England via the English Channel, they spent some time in southern and western England before migrating to northern Wales and making their way to Ireland.
Rowland DNA Group C
Group C has covered a large swath of northern Europe. Avoiding the Alps, they headed north into Poland and Germany, before following the coastline all the way around France and into northern Spain. From there, they reversed directions, going all the way to Sweden before turning around once again. They eventually moved inland to the area now known as Luxembourg between France and Germany.
Rowland DNA Group E
Group E came up through Germany, crossed into England, and headed for the western portion of the island. They have had many centuries in northwest England and northern Wales while mostly staying south of Scotland.
Rowland DNA Group H
Group H stayed north of all the mountains as they trekked from Eastern to Western Europe. After crossing into England, they maintained a heavy concentration in southeast England.
Rowland DNA Group I
Group I made their way to England but apparently did not find it to their liking. They migrated back to continental Europe, down to Austria, and eventually along the border of Germany and the Czech Republic
Rowland DNA Group J
Group J followed the valleys around the Alps, then followed the Rhine into northern Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium. They eventually crossed the English Channel into southeast England.
Rowland DNA Group M
Group M took the northern route, staying away from mountainous regions until arriving in Norway. These Rowland Vikings then descended on the eastern shores of England, eventually spreading both north and south, laying claim to the entire eastern seaboard.
Rowland DNA Group N
Group N also traveled up the Rhine to Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium. After numerous centuries in England, it appears they ventured into Scotland before making their way to Ireland.
Rowland DNA Group O
Group O and Group B were on the same trek until they reached northern France. Group O then explored more of Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany before making their way into southern England.
Conclusion
The new FTDNA Globetrekker is an engaging tool. At this time, its only limitation is the relatively few Big Y-DNA samples it has to work with. As more and more humans become Big Y participants, these treks will be enriched with further details and granularity.
FamilyTreeDNA continues to push the envelope of Y DNA testing and analysis tools. Globetrekker is a worthy and welcome addition to the Y DNA toolbelt.
Sources and Related Information
- Globetrekker, Part 1: A New FamilyTreeDNA Discover™ Report That Puts Big Y on the Map is the first of a three-part series that FamilyTreeDNA intends to publish about Globetrekker.
- The Rowland Xref Project Summary page contains additional information on the Rowland DNA Groups mentioned in this article.
- FamilyTreeDNA also announced a Summer Sale. Now’s your chance to get a Big Y DNA test or upgrade and become part of the Globetrekker database.
Interesting article Ron. It looks like the Rowland R1b groups possibly came to Britain with the Bell Beaker migration of around 2500BC. The Bell Beaker people displaced the existing Neolithic people (who built Stonehenge) and probably brought the Bronze age to the British Isles. They were the Celtic tribes who the Romans conquered on their main invasion of 43AD. They were the founding fathers of a large proportion of the present day British population. Apparently Group M looks like the only group to have come to Britain from Scandinavia, most likely with the Norse (Viking) invasions of the 9c AD. I would have expected more as most of eastern England was under Viking rule for a long time.